John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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658. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the process regarding an elderly parent visa application for a person (details supplied). [36212/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that comprehensive guidelines for all types of visa applications are published on the Immigration Service website ().  The guidance for a visa for the purpose of joining family members residing in Ireland refers applicants to the Government Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification.  The criteria set out in that policy is used in assessing both visa applicants for this type of visa and any subsequent residence application should the person's visa application be successful. 

Section 18.7 of the Family Reunification Policy Document outlines the rational for the approach adopted and the sound reasons why persons coming on a visitor visa are not permitted, once here, to overstay or turn a short stay into more permanent residency.

I am advised that the person concerned applied for and was issued with a number of short stay visas to visit his family in Ireland.  On each occasion he has sought permission to extend his stay beyond the original permission period and has been granted limited extensions.  Applications for long-stay visas for the purpose of joining with family require more detailed consideration than those of short stay visits as there is a requirement for the applicant to show that they can be supported without undue reliance on the State.  For this reason, such applications made after the person has arrived in the State having obtained a visa for a different purpose, i.e. a short visit, is not permitted.

It is, however, open to the person concerned to contact the Immigration Service again, in writing, setting out their particular circumstances and addressing any matters that were raised in the refusal letter, which he has most recently received.  Any such request will be given detailed consideration by my Department upon receipt of the relevant information and documentary evidence from the individual concerned. 

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility, which has been specifically established for this purpose.  This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process.  The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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659. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason persons (details supplied) are still waiting on final paperwork to be finalised and visas issued. [36217/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the persons concerned. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.